Week commencing Monday 26 February started with interviews with Times Radio, Tyne Tees and BBC Radio Tees, who were all interested in the Adjournment Debate I had secured about the use of social media in prison. In particular, the impact on victims’ families, like Zoey McGill, when inmates broadcast from inside a prison. An Adjournment Debate is something that takes place every night when the House adjourns and is the opportunity for a back bench MP to raise something. They are typically not well attended, but importantly a Minister is there to answer and acknowledge the points raised and I give thanks to Edward Argar, Minister of State for Prisons, Parole and Probation for his comprehensive reply.
Tuesday saw me supporting the Treasury Ministers as they conducted engagement sessions with colleagues before the Budget. Then it was the Transport Select Committee meeting before going to No 10 with a couple of our farmers for a Backing British Food and Drink reception where the Secretary of State for the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs, Steve Barclay met and spoke with them. I also fitted in a meeting with Minister Simon Hoare to discuss local government funding and the pressures Durham County Council are feeling. The day finished with a reception at the Japanese Embassy which I had been invited to.
Wednesday was more engagement sessions before Prime Ministers Questions and a meeting with the Chief Whip. A consequence of needing to take the car down when the East Coast line was getting signalling work done is that I had to make the long drive home at some point. As I spent 6 hours driving home, it reminded me how good the train connections to London, that I normally use, are!
Thursday I was back out and about locally. Started with a trip to St Chads in Durham University to join the Festival of Fulbright, this is all about promoting and celebrating links between our region and North America, it was my privilege to give some opening remarks. After this I headed to South West Durham Training on Aycliffe Business Park to meet the new CEO and get an update on their work. A very interesting session and great to see how they are investing through Government support and developing their offer to train people for the jobs we need filling.
Friday started with meetings with constituents then Durham County Council before heading over to the Cornforth Partnership to hold a constituency surgery with residents. Several subjects were covered but, just like at Fishburn previously, the biggest issue was bus connections, especially to Newton Aycliffe and Darlington. I am working hard with the Bus Minister to try and address this. They, like others, were also very interested in the plans to reopen Ferryhill Station. After this I headed to the BBC studios at Newcastle to record Sunday Politics, this is recorded ‘live’ on Friday before being broadcast on Sunday morning. Then it was back home before going to Hardwick Hall for the Sedgefield Town Council Mayor’s Ball. Along with the various local Mayors you also meet fantastic people supporting different causes and it was my pleasure to share a table with Sam, Joanne and Sharon from READLEY Asbestos and Mesothelioma Support Group who offer support and advice to people affected by asbestos linked problems, if you want to reach them pop me a line. It was good to see Mayors Dave Jasper (Sedgefield) and Carl Robinson (Great Aycliffe) as well as Councillor Ken Robson, all with their partners or consorts, supporting this event which is a great fundraiser.
On Saturday I called at the Methodist Church in Sedgefield for their Churches Together reflection of Lent. It is fantastic to see how the three churches collaborate on events like this and I also had the chance to talk to residents at the coffee morning next door, again the main subject was buses!
Sunday I was out and about in Sedgefield meeting farmers and called in at the farmers market and bought some lovely Durham Honey and some Chilli Oil from Lovesome Oil. As I am sure you know by now, this column is prepared on the Sunday before you read it so there is always a little time lag, Monday will see me on the train to London in time to talk in both a debate on farming and the Adjournment Debate on the Byers Gill Solar farm project. Then, of course, I will be performing my duties as Treasury Parliamentary Private Secretary, the rest of the week which will be dominated by the Budget.
If there are any issues arising from the Budget or anything else, please get in touch via Newton Aycliffe 01325 790580 or email: paul.howell.mp@parliament.uk